Frank Ordaz says he's one of the lucky ones who made it out of East L.A. He is very proud he got to be a part of some of the Hollywood magic.

Thirty years ago, before digital technology took over movies, Ordaz was chosen to create some very large paintings that were the background for movies like "Return of the Jedi" and "ET."

He was hired right after he graduated from the Art Center of Design in Pasadena.

Ordaz has a gallery in Auburn and had put away most of his memorabilia, but recently he was encouraged to dust it off and bring it out for all to see.

"For the longest time I never had my 'Star Wars' stuff up because it was 30 years ago," Ordaz said. "People tell me 'Frank, where's your 'Star Wars' stuff? Let people know what you've done.' People do care and that is the part that blows my mind it still carries power," Ordaz said.

He said back then there was a lot of pressure to make on unreal look real on the most expensive movies to be made at that time.

He got the big thumbs-up from his bosses at the time, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Ordaz now focuses on character portraits. His latest work is being featured at Sacramento City Hall through this summer. If you want to see some of his "Star Wars" memorabilia you will have to make a trip Auburn to visit the Frank Ordaz Art Gallery.

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